Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics

The Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in epidemiology and medical statistics. The programme falls under the Sciences category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Human Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Clinical Skills, Community Health. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advanced Epidemiology, Advanced Pharmacotherapy, Anesthesiology, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Behavioral Sciences. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Laboratory Techniques and Safety, Research Project, Environmental Science, Microbiology, Mathematics for Sciences. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Clinical Practice, Public Health & Epidemiology, Nursing & Midwifery. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Epidemiology and Medical Statistics pursue careers as Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior), Research Data Analyst (Junior), Research Scientist, Research Program Coordinator. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 12 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Human Anatomy
Physiology
Biochemistry
Pharmacology
Clinical Skills
Community Health

Modules

10 in the programme

Cell Biology and Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Cell structure, function, division, DNA replication, gene expression, and inheritance.
General Chemistry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, and chemical reactions.
Mathematics for Sciences
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Mathematics for Sciences: Calculus, algebra, trigonometry, and statistical methods for science students. Covers theoretical foundations, problem-solving techniques, and practical applications.
Physics for Sciences
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Mechanics, waves, electricity, optics, and modern physics for science programmes.
Microbiology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, cultivation, and applied microbiology.
Research Methods and Statistics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research Methods and Statistics: Scientific research methodology, experimental design, and statistical analysis. Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and repor...
Laboratory Techniques and Safety
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Laboratory Techniques and Safety: Laboratory procedures, instrumentation, safety protocols, and quality control. Covers safety regulations, risk assessment, and workplace hazard management.
Environmental Science
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Science: Ecosystems, biodiversity, environmental pollution, and conservation. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Industrial Attachment: Supervised attachment at research institutions, laboratories, or industry. Provides hands-on industry experience, mentorship, and professional skills development.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research Project: Independent research project culminating in a defended report. Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

Clinical Practice
Hands-on patient care in hospitals, clinics and community health settings. Students develop diagnostic, treatment and patient management skills.
Public Health & Epidemiology
Focuses on disease prevention, health promotion, community health surveillance and health policy. Prepares students for roles in public health agencies and NGOs.
Nursing & Midwifery
Patient care, maternal health, newborn care and community nursing. Students gain clinical skills for hospital and community practice.
Medical Laboratory & Diagnostics
Laboratory techniques, diagnostic testing, pathology and biomedical analysis. Students learn to operate lab equipment and interpret results.
Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Drug development, dispensing, pharmacotherapy and pharmaceutical research. Students learn pharmacology, therapeutics and patient counselling.

A day as a student

A typical day blends lectures, practicals and group work, with attachment/internship in the field.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand in Kenya's health sector.
Meaningful, society-impacting work.

Against it

Long, intensive training.
Emotionally demanding.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public245k to 245k

245k at Kirinyaga University245k at Kirinyaga University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Kirinyaga Univ 245K/yr (KUCCPS). Strathmore/Kabarak don't offer this. Private: null.

HELB loans, county scholarships and university bursaries available.

Funding options

HELB Loan
Government Bursary
CDF Scholarship
County Government Scholarship

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
AMREF International University Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Health sciences students demonstrating financial need
Ministry of Health Kenya Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Healthcare workers sponsored by national or county governments

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma progression or bridging.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests for this programme.
Clinical Practicum
Practical30% of the mark
Clinical Practicum for this programme.
End-of-Semester Exam
Exam30% of the mark
End-of-Semester Exam for this programme.
Research Project
Project20% of the mark
Research Project for this programme.

Accreditation

Accredited by CUE and relevant professional bodies.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Accredits university-level programmes.
Clinical Officers Council / NCK / KMPDC
ProfessionalRequired
Professional licensure for health practice.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior)
Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 110,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.
Research Data Analyst (Junior)
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Data Analyst (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Stable.
Research Scientist
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Scientists work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.
Research Program Coordinator
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 120,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Research Program Coordinators work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.
Marine Research Assistant (Junior)
Low demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Entry-level role for Bachelor graduates in Sciences. Marine Research Assistant (Junior)s work across various organizations in Kenya. Hiring trend: Growing.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find opportunities across health sciences in Kenya's public, private and entrepreneurship sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
DHIS2
DatabasePrimary
Google Workspace
Cloud
KenyaEMR
Medical
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
SPSS
Analytics

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This course has limited career prospects.
Graduates find opportunities across the public service, private industry, entrepreneurship, and further academic study.
The course is too theoretical with no practical value.
Programmes incorporate practical training, internships, and industry attachment to ensure graduates are job-ready.
You must have a related background to enrol.
Most programmes accept students from diverse academic backgrounds, with bridging support where needed.
Graduates of this course earn very little.
Earnings grow steadily with experience, specialisation, and professional certification.